When I was growing up, there was a period of time when the only way to rent a movie was via Redbox. Our small town had closed its movie rental store, and in its place popped up these helpful little DVD rental stations. They became a staple in our household.
Redbox is no longer officially a thing: Its parent company filed for bankruptcy in 2024. Still, you may occasionally find the movie machines at your local supermarket displaying releases from previous years, no longer updated to showcase today’s most popular films.
And when you see such a husk, it may cause you to wonder, as I did, whatever happened to this once-empire in the movie industry?
Jake Williams, on his YouTube channel Bright Sun Films, has the answer.
Bright Sun Films gives viewers the inside scope as to what caused a variety of buildings, businesses and projects to meet their ends.
In his “Bankrupt” series, for instance, Williams offers a look into the decisions that caused a variety of prominent companies to rise and fall. (Another hint: the fall is often signaled by a sale to private equity.)
Williams’ “Abandoned” series showcases a variety of locations where companies or individuals had great plans for some magnificent structure, only to leave those buildings to rot as said plans fell through or circumstances ended their dreams. And in the similar “Abandoned Explorations,” Williams travels to these locations to film the decrepit interiors.
“Cancelled” deals with further failed projects, including games, movies and restaurants.
Note: Bright Sun Films has a similarly named travel review channel, Bright Sun Travels. This review does not cover videos from that channel.
The videos on Bright Sun Films are high quality and well explained. Williams brings a wealth of information to each topic, providing viewers with a solid understanding of a given situation. He offers the topic’s historical start in each video, as well as the moments that led to a subject’s collapse (whether these were their own fault or because of events outside of their control). Williams backs up his claims with news reports, statistics, financial statements or quotes from those working on the projects he’s covering. For those wondering whatever happened to their favorite bankrupt store or abandoned project, Williams will give a thorough education into that matter.
Occasionally, Williams provides looks at scale models, in-person walkthroughs or drone footage of these locations, too—giving his audience a fuller understanding of the locations.
Williams revisits some companies he’s spoken about before, as well, usually to update viewers with new information.
Williams faithfully reports the facts of each case, but that sometimes includes recounting terrible events. For instance, one video covers the sinking of a cruise ship, which involved passenger deaths and a captain’s affair. In another video, he explains that a Kansas City waterpark shut down following the decapitation of a young boy. (Blood from obtained news footage can be seen on a slide.) And, related in content, another video details the rise and fall of the sexually charged Hooters restaurant. While these are relevant details to understand the circumstances around these particular stories, they are nevertheless details parents may want to consider.
In the channel’s earliest videos, Williams uses the occasional crudity, including the f-word and misuses of God’s name. In later videos, Williams pivoted to a more professional, scripted style, steering away from most obscenities. Still, while visiting some abandoned buildings, the occasional profanity might be seen graffitied on the wall.
Bright Sun Films provides an informative look into the various dark clouds, as it were, that ruined a host of businesses, project and ideas. For those wanting a high-quality dive into such things, Williams provides some of the best you’ll find on YouTube. However, parents should note that the occasional mature topic or crudity may knock the age rating up a peg.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
